Induction cooking apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

A cooking apparatus includes a cooking vessel, a support structure, an assortment of ferrous members and a source of electro-magnetic radiation. The ferrous members are mounted on the support structure along with food. The source of electro-magnetic radiation heats the ferrous members and enables a previously unobtainable level of precision and control in the preparation of food.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/372,654 filed on Feb. 14, 2012 (which will grant as U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,536 on Sep. 8, 2015), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/442,369 filed on Feb. 14, 2011.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of equipment for cooking and more particularly to an induction cooking apparatus and a method of induction cooking

BACKGROUND

Induction cooking is similar to other forms of cooking in that it uses a heated cooking vessel such as a pot or a pan to transfer heat to the food contained in the vessel. Induction cooking differs in that the vessel itself is the source of the heat, receiving its energy through electro magnetic radiation which creates the heat in the walls of the vessel. The heat then reaches the food, from the vessel walls inward.

To function, the vessel must be made of a ferrous or similar material. Sometimes, an adaptor is used to enable a non ferrous pot or pan to be used. The adaptor then becomes the source of the heat. Adaptors are sometimes called induction discs.

Despite the developments of the prior art there remains a need for an induction cooking apparatus which provides targeted application of heat.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an induction cooking apparatus which provides targeted heating of food enabling elective cooking of different parts of the food.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for induction cooking which provides improved heating uniformity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an induction cooking apparatus which incorporates pieces of metal of varying sizes and shapes which are distributed within the cooking vessel to vary the heating pattern.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an induction cooking apparatus in which inserts are inserted into food for the purpose of heating and cooking the food.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an induction cooking apparatus to incorporate a relatively small of number of component parts which can be manufactured economically in volume, resulting in a low unit cost.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become evident hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention, an induction cooking apparatus includes a cooking vessel, a support structure, and a plurality of ferrous elements which are placed throughout the interior of the cooking vessel and are typically mounted on the support structure so that the source of heat is dispersed and distributed enabling a previously unavailable level of heat precision and control in the preparation of food.

Ferrous and similar pieces of metal of varying shapes, sizes, number, and magnetic/conducting properties are distributed throughout the vessel. Each becomes a source of heat so that the food is cooked according to the specifications of the preparer. No longer does the heat travel only from the enveloping heated vessel, (or from the flame which is directed at the food). The heat can travel from a number of separate sources, from inside the cooking vessel, therefore enabling a new level of uniformity—or differentiation—as the case (and desire) may be.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be made clear in the following specification taken with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the induction cooking apparatus according to the present invention with the apparatus shown in use and with a portion of the apparatus shown broken away to reveal details of internal construction;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support structure shown in FIG. 1 with the support structure shown removed from the cooking vessel;

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the invention in which ferrous elements are inserted directly into food;

FIG. 4 shows a pail mounted on the support structure; and

FIG. 5 shows a pair of ferrous elements joined together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings there is shown in FIGS. 1-5 an induction cooking apparatus 10 made in accordance with the present invention, with the apparatus 10 shown in use cooking food items 12, 14, 16, 18. The apparatus 10 includes a cooking vessel 20, a support structure 22 and a source of electro-magnetic radiation 24. The source of electro-magnetic radiation 24 is of conventional construction which is well known in the art and, accordingly, the source of electro-magnetic radiation 24 is represented schematically in FIG. 1 by a rectangular prism. The source of electro-magnetic radiation 24 is capable of producing radiation in a range of power levels and a range of frequencies.

The cooking vessel 20 is a container of generally conventional design and may be made of a non-ferrous material, or, alternatively, of a non ferrous material with a ferrous bottom surface to facilitate two modes of cooking Induction cooking is accomplished according to the present invention and also conventional cooking may be accomplished using a conventional stove or cook top. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking vessel 20 has a generally cylindrical side wall 80 and a generally flat bottom 82. The side wall 80 is made of a non ferrous material and the flat bottom 82 may be either a ferrous or non ferrous material.

The source of electromagnetic radiation 24 may be spaced apart from the container 20 as is shown in FIG. 1 or alternatively it may be attached to the generally cylindrical side wall of the container. A plurality of sources of electromagnetic radiation may 24 be utilized.

The support structure 22 is a key element of the present invention and is preferably made of a non-ferrous material which is capable of withstanding typical cooking temperatures. Appropriate materials for the support structure 22 have been found to be glass, aluminum and certain woods.

As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support structure 22 includes a base 26 and a central column 28 which projects upwardly from the base 26.

Along the central column 28 there is a plurality of branches 30 or hooks 40 on which ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38 or similar materials may be removably affixed according to the wishes of the person preparing the food. The food being cooked may be affixed to selected branches 30 by allowing the end of the branch 30 to pierce the solid food.

A ferrous or non-ferrous dish or pail 42 may be hung from a selected branch as shown in FIG. 4. Food of a loose or soft or liquid consistency may be placed in the pail 42 for the purpose of cooking

During use, the ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38, which are hung from selected branches 30 of the support structure 22, are heated by induction in order to create the desired heating pattern. The ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38 may be of various shapes and number according to the cooking application. Included in these shapes are rectangular, circular, ellipsoidal, triangular and regular and irregular geometrical shapes. The size of the ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38 and the relative proximity of the ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38 to the food being cooked may be adjusted or varied by a user in order to create a desired heating pattern.

The ferrous element may also have various configurations including a household item such as an eating utensil 42 as is shown in FIG. 3.

During use, the source of electro-magnetic energy 24 creates heat within the ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38.

When a ferrous cooking vessel is used the electro-magnetic radiation source can also create heat in the cooking vessel 20.

The ability to vary the size, shape and proximity of the ferrous elements 32, 34, 36, 38 to the food being cooked results in a previously unavailable level of precision and control in the preparation of food.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, solid foods for which structures and hanging ferrous elements are unsuitable, elements 32, 34, 42 are provided with sharp edges which can be stuck into the food at various places—or inserted into folds at specified locations. The heating (and cooking) will be precise, and once the process is over, the elements 32, 34, 42 are readily removed.

The ferrous elements can have different sizes, shapes compositions and magnetic properties. The ferrous element may be connected one to another either by mounting two or more ferrous elements 36, 44 on a single branch of the support structure as shown in FIG. 4 or alternatively providing a snap together or link together interface as shown in FIG. 5. Ferrous elements 46, 48 can be easily attached and detached as is shown in FIG. 5 ferrous element 48 includes a projecting tongue 50 while ferrous element 46 includes a receptacle 52 which accepts the tongue 50. Ferrous elements 46, 48 include apertures 54 for attachment to a branch 30.

The ability to vary the number, shape orientation and proximity to the food during the cooking process enables the user to achieve a previously unobtainable level of control and precision in the preparation of food.

The present invention also includes an induction cooking oven which is generally similar to the cooking vessel 20 and which is generally rectangular and box-like in configuration having a top, a bottom and four side walls with food disposed on ferrous or non ferrous racks mounted within the oven. Ferrous elements 32 34, 42 are inserted into the food as previously described. A plurality of sources of electro magnetic radiation 24 are disposed on the top wall and the four sidewalls.

The present invention provides a method for induction cooking which includes the following steps:

1. Placing a plurality of ferrous elements in proximity to food;

2. Subjecting the ferrous element and the food to electro-magnetic radiation, thereby enabling the electro-magnetic energy to heat the ferrous elements and allowing the heated ferrous element to transfer heat to the food.

In addition, the present invention provides another method for induction cooking which includes the following steps:

1. Inserting at least one ferrous element into food;

2. Subjecting the ferrous element and the food to electro-magnetic radiation thereby enabling the electro-magnetic energy to heat the at least one ferrous element by induction and allowing the heated ferrous element to transfer heat to the food.

The foregoing specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth in the specifications herein are for illustrative purposes only. Various deviations and modification may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention, without departing from a main theme thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for induction cooking, the method comprising: mounting one or more ferrous members to a support structure in a non-ferrous vessel, wherein the support structure comprises a base, a central pole projecting from the base, and a plurality of branches configured to receive the one or more ferrous members; placing food proximate to the one or more ferrous members; and activating an electromagnetic radiation source to heat the one or more ferrous members such that the one or more ferrous members deliver the heat to the food.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said mounting the one or more ferrous members comprises at least one of hooking the one or more ferrous members on to the one or more branches and sliding the one or more ferrous members onto one or more branches of the support structure via an aperture in each of the one or more ferrous members.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the food proximate to the one or more ferrous members comprising attaching the food to one or more of the plurality of branches of the support structure.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the one or more plurality of branches to which the food is attached includes at least one ferrous member mounted thereto.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising interlocking at least two ferrous members together to form a larger ferrous member.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting a pail to at least one of the plurality of branches of the support structure.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein placing the food proximate to the one or more ferrous members comprises placing the food in the pail.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the food comprises a liquid.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting an insertable ferrous member into the food such that the insertable ferrous member cooks the food from within.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein mounting the one or more ferrous members comprises arranging the one or more ferrous members relative to the food, and wherein the one or more ferrous members vary in size.
 11. A method for forming an induction cooking apparatus, the method comprising: forming a non-ferrous vessel that is configured to receive a support structure; forming the support structure by mounting a central pole to a base and mounting a plurality of branches to the central pole, wherein the plurality of branches are configured to receive one or more ferrous members; and forming the one or more ferrous members such that at least one of the one or more ferrous members includes an aperture that slides over a branch mounted to the central pole or a hooking mechanism that hooks onto the branch, wherein the one or more ferrous members are configured to heat food in response to receipt of electromagnetic radiation.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a source of electromagnetic radiation that is configured to heat the one or more ferrous members.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising mounting the source of electromagnetic radiation to a wall of the non-ferrous vessel.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising mounting a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources to a wall of the non-ferrous vessel.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the one or more ferrous members comprises forming a plurality of ferrous members that differ in shape from one another.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the one or more ferrous members comprises forming a plurality of ferrous members that differ in size from one another.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the one or more ferrous members comprises forming a first ferrous member with a first interlocking portion and a second ferrous member with a second interlocking portion such that the first ferrous member and the second ferrous member can be interlocked to form an interlocked ferrous member.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a pail that is configured to receive the food and to mount to at least one of the branches of the support structure.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the support structure further comprises forming at least one of branch of the support structure such that the at least one branch is configured to pierce the food.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the non-ferrous vessel comprises forming a bottom wall of the non-ferrous vessel from a first material and a side wall of the non-ferrous vessel from a second material, wherein at least one of the first material and the second material comprises ferrous material. 